Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Opening Weekend Box Office: #1 with $27,487,144
Domestic Box Office Gross to-date: $69,011,815
Gross Revenue: $69,011,815
Production Budget: $40 million
Director: Brian
Helgeland
I understand how there could have been some theater
patron confusion when the trailers for 42
first started to increase in frequency, given the fact that Movie 43 was then priming as the newest wide-release,
but lack of number distinction aside, a
weighted sports drama seemed like the perfect April release. Aside from offering a distinct genre
departure from anything that had been seen in theaters since September, 42 also benefitted from having a truly
energizing trailer, one which utilized Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn Go Hard” to showcase
that this newest drama would have enough attitude to prevent any defaults to
inspirational sports clichés. Billed as “The
True Story of an American Legend,” a biopic revolving around a hero like Jackie
Robinson had to resonate with baseball fans during baseball season, but even
non-sports fans had to appreciate the historical context and critical weight of
such a project…take me for example: I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I LOVE
baseball movies. Director Brian
Helegland may be known better as a screenwriter than as the head of a film
project, but with such weighted subject matter and a supporting cast that
included Harrison Ford (who hasn’t been seen since 2011’s subpar Cowboys & Aliens), success was all
but guaranteed. With so many
high-profile action sequels and special effects blockbusters set to hit beginning
with the first weekend of May, it was up to Warner Bros. to remind audiences
that solid storytelling infused with heart and depth sans 3D glasses was still
worthy of a trip to the theater.
Opening prior to the beginning of the 1947 Brooklyn
Dodgers baseball season, 42 tells the
story of Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) breaking the color barrier of Major
League Baseball, thanks largely to the efforts of team executive Branch Rickey
(Harrison Ford). Called up to Dodgers
spring training after a particularly successful outing with the Montreal
Royals, Robinson faces resistance and bigotry with few allies beyond his young
wife Rachel Isum Robinson (Nicole Beharie), and African American sportswriter
Wendell Smith (Andre Holland). Soon
enough, Robinson’s immense skill begins to garner favor within the Dodger
organization, especially with notable power players like manager Leo Durocher
(Christopher Meloni) and sportscaster Red Barber (John C. McGinley), and as
such, the traditional thinking of professional baseball is severely challenged. And even though he faces immense pressure,
Robinson resolves to control his temper; but after a particularly brutal
taunting from Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman (Alan Tudyk), Robinson
also begins to earn solidarity from teammates like Pee Wee Reese (Lucas Black)
and Ralph Branca (Hamish Linklater). In
the face of such adversity, the brave perseverance of “Number 42” forever
changes the Major Leagues, opening opportunities for African Americans, and
starting a new era for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
With subject matter focusing on the racism and
bigotry surrounding the breaking of the color barrier within Major League
Baseball, 42 could have easily
glossed over certain elements, but in unapologetically showcasing this nasty
element of history, everything from the narrative to acting is imbued with more
power than anyone could have expected from a sports drama. Like I mentioned in the “Short and Sweet”
review, Alan Tudyk’s performance as Ben Chapman drips with hatred, but other
examples of intolerance from fans and other players helps the audience build
true empathy with the protagonist, thereby making the positive ending all the
more enjoyable. Historians have been
critical of a particular scene that involves Robinson breaking his bat in
anger, but the lead-up to this expression of frustration is so well handled by
director Brian Helgeland, that the powerful segment single-handedly thrusts
overall quality into the upper atmosphere.
In terms of the supporting individual performances, Christopher Meloni
owned every second of his comparatively brief screen time, but the biggest
surprise has to be Harrison Ford, who made a truly glorious return to the
screen, reminding everyone of the gruff actor’s ability to seamlessly mix
attitude with charm. And with such high
levels of drama present, there was a chance that the core focus on baseball
could fall past the foul line, but make no mistake, 42 is just as effective in delivering an effective sports movie.
If there is one element of 42 that can be classified as “weak,” it would have to involve the
slow pacing of Robinson’s interactions with his wife and early supporters,
which when weighed against the energetic baseball games, feels like little more
than filler. But this criticism is less
an indictment of individual acting performances than it is a testament to the
quality of the baseball games that are detailed. Watching Chadwick Boseman channel the
legendary ball player and run the bases is genuinely exciting and enjoyable to
watch, reminding all viewers why the classic game is so historically popular. And this may sound like a somewhat benign
accolade, but the ending credits segment detailing the distinguished careers of
the 1947 Dodgers is so positive and crowd-pleasing that you will find yourself
to stand up and cheer alongside the extras filling the stadium on-screen. Putting it all together, the positive
elements of 42 far outweigh the
negatives, making this spring release a near-perfect sports drama that can be
enjoyed by both casual audiences and hardcore baseball fans.
With higher-profile releases Oblivion and Pain & Gain
right on its heels, it was obvious that 42
was really only going to have one weekend to make its biggest mark on the box
office, but studio executives have to be happy that this newest sports drama
has demonstrated significant staying power.
Beyond its impressive $27 million, 1st place debut, 42 has managed to stay within the Top 3
rankings for the past two weeks, dropping under 40% when competing against new
releases and making way for a nearly-$70 million lifetime gross against a
modest $40 million production budget. In
focusing on America’s pastime, it is no surprise that domestic numbers would
dominate 42’s financials, but I am a
little confused as to why there is absolutely no international presence for
this film…Japan’s market would surely respond to a baseball-centered Hollywood
blockbuster. In all likelihood, with
positive word of mouth and strong critical reception, 42 will have a continued presence leading into the Summer Movie
Season, but no one should have delusions of Jackie Robinson competing with Tony
Stark or Jay Gatsby. In the end, whether
you are looking for a history lesson or not, 42 continues a trend which showcases that nine innings of a grass
diamond make the perfect setting for a strong sports drama.
Overall
Recommendation: High
